Just like Rondale Moore one year ago, Jamal Adams’s time with the Minnesota Vikings may have ended just as it began. The veteran defender injured his knee on Saturday during the club’s 13-10 preseason win over the New York Giants, and early reports indicate a long absence.
“Initial exam does not look good. Don’t want to confirm anything until we see the imaging on that,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said of the injury, verbiage that is usually followed by a season-ending diagnosis.
If that fear comes true – – it probably will – – here’s the fallout for the Vikings.
One Injury Will Affect Two Position Groups
The Safety Hierarchy Returns to Pre-Adams Form
It will sound morbid, but one way to cope with the gruesome Adams injury, at least from a fan’s angle, is to pretend the signing never happened. The club still has Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, rookie Jakobe Thomas, Tavierre Thomas, Kahlef Hailassie, and UDFA Jacob Thomas on the depth chart. Plenty of bodies can pick up the slack.
It’s just that defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the Vikings had big plans for Adams, and those are likely off the table now.
Adams had played in the box, over the slot, and as a deep safety. Replacing him means more than simply promoting the fourth safety to the third-safety spot. Flores loses a versatile player who allowed him to disguise personnel without substituting. Adams’s absence wouldn’t create an entirely new safety room, but it will eliminate the flexibility Minnesota has cultivated over the past 2-3 weeks.
In many ways, it’s back to the drawing board with the players from June.
The ILB Roster Math Changes
Two weeks ago, Adams grabbed No. 54 upon signing in Minnesota – – a linebacker’s number. That changed to No. 32 shortly after, but Adams was still on tap to play all over the place, including inside linebacker. Hell, he started the game at EDGE rusher against New York, if that can be believed.
Without him, the inside linebacker situation becomes more fluid. Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson are the starters, with Ivan Pace Jr. and Jake Golday as primary backups. Jacob Roberts, Josh Ross, and Bangally Kamara will compete for the remaining spots and for the practice squad.
Before the injury, Minnesota could have plausibly kept fewer pure linebackers because Adams could provide snaps at that position while technically functioning elsewhere. That luxury is now gone.
A roster spot is basically available.
Ivan Pace Jr. May Have Double Secured a Roster Spot
It’s debatable whether Pace Jr.’s roster spot was 100% secure entering the preseason. It’s pretty non-debatable that his spot is secure now. With Adams down, the club will need contributions from another versatile veteran linebacker, and all signs point to Pace Jr. for the task.
Pace already had an advantage in securing the OLB4 job: his special teams utility. In 2025, he recorded 13 special teams tackles and played in all 17 defensive games. However, Adams’s arrival raised a challenging question: if Flores could use Adams for linebacker snaps alongside 2nd-round rookie Golday, what would Minnesota’s actual need be for traditional inside linebackers?
Now, Adams’s injury potentially (and sadly) eliminates the player who created the dilemma. Pace’s prospects improve due to two factors: a) his established utility on special teams, and b) Minnesota’s increased need for his defensive snaps compared to 24 hours prior.
Paging Harrison Smith
It’s time to call Commissioner Gordon. The Vikings need the Bat Signal. Smith has not expressly retired this offseason, but the Vikings “released” him as a matter of roster procedure in March, and he obviously hasn’t returned. And when Adams signed at the end of July, many said, “Well, I guess they don’t need Smith now.” That assumption can be dialed back.
The easiest way to ease the pain of the Adams injury from a team standpoint is for Smith to return. It’s as simple as that. There’s also the idea of Smith recognizing the need. Last week, he could’ve looked at the roster and realized Minnesota would be just fine without him. The state of play has changed. Smith is needed.
Thankfully, he’s probably not hellbent on retirement. A heartbreaking injury has summoned The Hitman.
Don’t Forget Free Agency … Again
Pretend for a moment none of this analysis is accurate. General manager Nolan Teasley could scour free agency for a newcomer. At any given time, decently productive veteran (old) safeties are usually available. Here’s a look at the market now:
- Terrell Edmunds
- Quandre Diggs
- Jabrill Peppers
- Jordan Whitehead
- Donovan Wilson
Teasley has just over $21 million in cap space, more than enough to sign a safety.
───────────── ─────────────
VikesNow Verdict: Adams’s diagnosis remains pending – – and it almost certainly will be grim – – but Minnesota is already confronting the possibility of losing a uniquely flexible defender. Pace’s path gets clearer, and Smith is suddenly needed. If necessary, Teasley also has money and veteran alternatives.
───────────── ─────────────
About The Author
